Minnesota goes over 90,000 in positive tests for COVID-19

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials on Sunday reported that the state has topped more than 90,000 positive COVID-19 tests since the pandemic began.

The state confirmed 1,318 new cases in the last day, lifting the total to 90,017, and two new deaths due to complications from the coronavirus. The state’s death toll stands at 1,965. Of those, 1,423 have occurred in long-term care of assisted living facilities.

A total of 248 people are currently hospitalized. There are 123 patients in intensive care, down nearly a dozen since Saturday.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

Court weighs allowing courtroom cameras in George Floyd case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The trial of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death will generate massive public interest when it begins in March, but as it stands, most people who want to watch the proceedings will be out of luck.

The judge overseeing the case has yet to decide whether cameras will be allowed. Supporters of audio and visual coverage say the high-profile nature of Floyd’s death, the outrage that led to worldwide protests, and courtroom restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic make this the right time and case to allow cameras in court. But the state attorney general’s office, which is prosecuting the case, opposes them, saying cameras would only create more problems.

“I just can’t think of a situation where it’s more important than a case like this for the public to see what’s actually transpiring in the courtroom,” said Jane Kirtley, director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law.

“Justice that cannot be observed cannot really be considered justice. The public won’t believe what they can’t see,” she added.

In June, Judge Peter Cahill decided against allowing audio and visual coverage of pretrial proceedings because he said it would risk tainting the possible jury pool and the state opposed it. But Cahill, who is still weighing requests to try the defendants separately, said he would rule on trial audio and video coverage at a later date. It’s unclear when that ruling will come.

Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white officer, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck even as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s death was captured in widely seen bystander video that set off protests around the world.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired.

Man given 30 years for fatal shooting in West St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man accused of fatally shooting a West St. Paul father while the victim’s 2-year-old son slept beside him has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Nathan Wesley McDonald, 23, pleaded guilty Aug. 21 to second-degree murder in the 2019 fatal shooting of Lawrence Terrance Renfro, 21, of West St. Paul.

A co-defendant, Terrell Theo Payne, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Sept. 10, the Pioneer Press reported.

A friend alerted police after finding Renfro dead. His son was still sitting on the couch seven hours after Renfro was killed, authorities said.

Payne told police that he and McDonald had gone to Renfro’s apartment early July 9, entered through the bedroom window and found Renfro and his son asleep in the living room.

Payne said Renfro woke up and told them to leave, but McDonald shot Renfro multiple times.

McDonald’s sister told investigators she had been living with Renfro, but moved out because he had been abusive.